Is my racket any good (pics)

[harvieharvie]

Hi guys pics below.

Its a prince racket, shock block, titanium. Maybe 9 years old

[harvieharvie]

I play as a beginner a few times a week, is this racket good/bad? should I change?

I just come home and i play tennis overseas, im back there in a few weeks, no one here plays tennis so yet to use it, im just wondering should I buy another one or what

[pkshooter]

no buy a dunlop aerogel 4d 300 lite. its only 65 dollars...
just joking if your a beginner then its probably fine, looks a bit low quality, but you should find out if you like tennis before investing. However the above is a great deal

[The Meat]

Ahh, the weekend warrior racquet. Do you also have a single racquet bag and wear sleeveless shirts with a bandana as well?

Just kidding

[jonestim]

Is it any good? No. Not really. It is an inexpensive aluminum frame.

Does this matter? No. Not really. What matters is that you are out hitting the ball on a regular basis. Worry about a nicer racquet when you get better or when you want to get more serious.

[Ess]

As others have suggested, probably okay to start with until you figure out if you want to invest more money, but be very careful hitting with this. My guess is it is very stiff and it looks like the strings have never been changed (Prince stencil) so it might bother you if you dive in and start playing three of four hours a day every day with a stiff racquet and old strings.

[Anton]

NO NOT OK.

These aluminum frames are junk and if you play a few times a week $50-70 is well spent on a proper graphite racket.

Here you go:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/catpage-liqracs.html

Just choose the color you like, they will all be tons better then what you have.

If you are strong/athletic you probably want something at very least 11oz.

Wilson BLX Pro Open
Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus
Dunlop Aerogel 4D 500 (5Hundred) Tour
Prince Triple Threat Warrior Midplus

In that order of my recomendation

[harvieharvie]

Originally Posted by The Meat

Ahh, the weekend warrior racquet. Do you also have a single racquet bag and wear sleeveless shirts with a bandana as well?

Just kidding

haha nice one.


well the reason I ask is because rackets cost a whole lot more in bangkok then back in England. so im wondering do I take the risk and bring this one, or pay a bit and get a better one while im in england.


should of said that

[El Zed]

Originally Posted by harvieharvie

haha nice one.


well the reason I ask is because rackets cost a whole lot more in bangkok then back in England. so im wondering do I take the risk and bring this one, or pay a bit and get a better one while im in england.


should of said that

If you've used this racquet, and it's good enough for your play/enjoyment - then there's no issue. If you notice some deficiency in your play that you're trying to rectify, sure there are better options. If the latter is applicable, then it appears as though you answered your own question as to whether you should buy in a new racquet in England or not.

I presume, however, that you're unlikely to pinpoint a real area of issue and merely want to get a new racquet. There's no issue with wanting something new and "better," but taking the advice posted here will likely send you into a tail-spin whereby you'll be seeking the ever elusive Holy Grail at a considerable monetary cost (no offense, which appears to be a concern to you). If you're racquet is good enough, stick with it - unless you really want to be on the search for vintage Head Prestiges...

[El Zed]

Originally Posted by harvieharvie

haha nice one.


well the reason I ask is because rackets cost a whole lot more in bangkok then back in England. so im wondering do I take the risk and bring this one, or pay a bit and get a better one while im in england.


should of said that

On second thought, it's clear a Head Pro Stock is your only real option - the only way to take one's game to a higher level. (yes, sarcasm intended)

[jason586]

That racquet is toward the bottom of racquets in quality.
I do not know what they have in UK; but in the US I have seen regularly racquets at various thrift, salvation army, and goodwill stores. The first racquet I played with originally sold for $199 (Prince Thunder Blast), and I picked it up for $3 at a Salvation Army in near new condition.
An easier, faster way is to get something used off a tennis forum sales corner such as the one here on TT. Even easier is to get something new that is on clearance on TW, like the Volkl Power Bridge 7 for only $55, which would be a great all around racquet for a beginner as it has a slightly larger head size at 107 and is customizable as you get better being only 10.5 oz strung.

[babyhagrid]

Originally Posted by harvieharvie

haha nice one.


well the reason I ask is because rackets cost a whole lot more in bangkok then back in England. so im wondering do I take the risk and bring this one, or pay a bit and get a better one while im in england.


should of said that

Definitely get one while your back in the UK, just avoid that large discount sports shop £70 should get you a decent discontinued model. Have a look on Tennis Warehouse Europe's site after everyone gives their valid suggestions. I wouldn't dare suggest a racquet, I play with an Aeropro Drive GT so I know nothing hehe.

[cork_screw]

No buy something more expensive.

[v-verb]

Originally Posted by Anton

NO NOT OK.

These aluminum frames are junk and if you play a few times a week $50-70 is well spent on a proper graphite racket.

Here you go:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/catpage-liqracs.html

Just choose the color you like, they will all be tons better then what you have.

If you are strong/athletic you probably want something at very least 11oz.

Wilson BLX Pro Open
Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus
Dunlop Aerogel 4D 500 (5Hundred) Tour
Prince Triple Threat Warrior Midplus

In that order of my recomendation

This was a really good suggestion. I've hit with racquets like yours and got a sore arm as a result.

Or check thrift shops as another poster suggested. Ditch that aluminum racquet asap